Transformers #33 — Robert Kirkman and David Nakayama Reveal Optimus' New Autobot Team
Optimus Prime has assembled a new squad on Earth, but trust is fractured after a devastating clash with Elita. Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard bring their signature intensity to this pivotal team-up issue, with stunning covers by David Nakayama. Here is why this drop demands your attention.
There is something distinctly magnetic about Robert Kirkman’s take on the Transformers. He doesn't just give us robots in disguise; he gives us a war story where the machinery feels heavy, the stakes feel personal, and the characters actually bleed. When Skybound launched their Energon Universe, they promised a fresh start, but by issue #33, that freshness has hardened into something much more compelling: a gritty, character-driven saga that respects the lore while daring to shake it up.
The setup here is deceptively simple but emotionally loaded. Optimus Prime has gathered a new team of Autobots to stand guard on Earth, positioning them as the next line of defense. But this isn't a clean slate. The team is reeling from the aftermath of a brutal, high-stakes confrontation between Optimus and Elita. You can feel the tension in the air before a single shot is fired. It’s a classic Kirkman move: put your heroes in a room with unresolved history and watch how they navigate the fallout.
What makes this issue a must-read right now is the artistic synergy. Jason Howard and Mike Spicer bring their usual visceral, kinetic energy to the battle scenes, but it’s David Nakayama’s cover work that truly sells the vibe. Nakayama has an uncanny ability to capture the emotional weight of a moment, and his illustration for this issue frames the new team not just as soldiers, but as individuals trying to find their footing in the shadow of their leader’s recent actions. It’s a visual promise of the internal and external conflicts waiting inside.
If you’ve been following the Energon Universe arc, you know that relationships are the currency here. The dynamic between Optimus and his new recruits is the heart of the book, and seeing how they bond—or fracture—under pressure is the kind of storytelling that keeps readers coming back. It’s less about who wins the next fight and more about whether this team can survive the war within.
For those of you grabbing this, the David Nakayama cover is the one to keep an eye on. His work on this title has been consistently stunning, and these variants tend to move quickly because they capture the tone of the series so perfectly. It’s a great addition to any shelf, not just for the story, but for the art alone. This is the issue where the new status quo really begins to take shape, and it’s a fantastic place to dive in if you’re looking for something with real heart and horsepower.